Inhalator



w. E. MoATs INHALATOR Nov. 25, 1947.

Filed July 14, 1945 HIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIU Patented Nov. 25, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT ainsi OFFICE INHALATOR l William E. Moats, Overbrook Hills, Pa. Application July 14, 1945, Serial No. 605,007

Claims.

This invention relates to a tubular pocket inhalator comprising a tubular inhalant compartment adapted to contain a vial and a tubular absorbent ccmpartment with suitable communications to the open air and to a nasal inhaling tube.

Ithas been customary to sell liquid inhalants for treating inammation of the nasal passages in the form of small vials of liquid; the liquid is intended to be dropped on a handkerchief for vaporization and inhalation, or, in some cases, it is intended to be applied directly to the nasal passages by means of a dropper. Either method of application has obvious disadvantages, especially when used for self-medication. For example, when the handkerchief method is used, a residue of inhalant remains on the handkerchief and its presence is evident from its odor wherever the handkerchief is carried. If the dropper method of application is used, gymnastic contortions are necessary in order to facilitate the proper distribution of the inhalant in the nasal passages.

It is one object of my invention to provide a convenient, cheap and eicient device fo-r applying liquid inhalant. It is another object of my invention to provide a device of this character in which a substantial amount of inhalant may be stored for repeated use. And it is a further object of my invention to provide a device of this character which may be readily transportede. g., in the pocket or handbag-for immediate use wherever and whenever necessary. An additional object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which may be used unobtrusively.

According to my invention, I provide a small i' tubular container in which are located tubular compartments. One of these compartments is adapted to contain a small vial of inhalant. The other compartment, which may be concentric with and surrounding ythe flrst compartment, is adapted to contain an absorbent for the liquid inhalant, such as, for example, cotton batting. At one end of my inhalator I provide a nasal tube of suitable shape to be partially inserted in a nostril and communicating by small ports with one end of the absorbent compartment. At the other end of the absorbent compartment I provide similar ports communicating with the outside air, so that on application of the nasal tube to a nostril and inhalation through that nostril outer air will passinto and through the absorbent compartment and thence through the nasal tube into the nasal passages.

In order to facilitate use of this inhalator I provide a simple and effective device to be de- (Cl. 12S-200) 2, scribed below for uncorking an inhalant vial on insertion into the inhalator and for sealing and unsealing at will, the open end of the vial to permit small amounts of inhalant to now therefrom. Small ports are provided between the inhalant compartment and the absorbent compartment so that liquid inhalant may pass to the latter. I also provide means for sealing the air inlet to the absorbent compartment and for covering and protecting the nasal tube when the inhalator is not in use.

In order that my invention may be more readily understood, one embodiment thereof is illustrated' in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section showing my device just prior to the uncorking of the vial; and

Fig.2 is a similar cross section illustrating the position `of the vial after being uncorked.

In the drawing, reference numeral I indicates a tubular body portion, which may be but is not necessarily cylindrical in cross section. It is closed at the top by end piece 2, which is formed integral with the cylindrical walls. This end piece is pierced with a plurality of ports 3. Also formed integral with the end piece are uncorking stud 4 and tubular wall 5, both contained in the space surrounded by Wall I. Stud l is advantageously made hollow and perforated, and tubular wall 5 is pierced with a series of ports Ii affording communication between the interior compartment dened by wall 5 and the annular space between walls I and 5.

The bottom of this body portion is permanently closed by an end plate l which may be screwed, or otherwise tightly tted, into the open end of the body. End plate 1 is "provided with a large central threaded opening 8 andI a plurality of small inlet ports 9. On the inner` surface cf plate I I provide a groove'lil surrounding the central opening and adapted to receive the open end of tubular wall 5 and form a tight joint therewith.

A closure plug generally indicated by I I is provided having a stud portion I2 threaded to central hole 8 of enel plate 'l and a flange portion I3 of substantially the diameter of body I.

At the other end of my inhalator I provide a nasal tube M permanently attached to body portion I, for example by screw threads I5, and communicating with the body portion through ports s. A cover I5 may also be provided for protecting the nasal tube when not in use. This cover may be threaded to thenose piece as at Il, or, alternatively, it may behinged thereon.

Prior to assembling the inlialator I place around stud 4 a rubber gasket I8 adapted to seal the uncorked end of an inhalant vial, as described below. This gasket is retained on stud 4 by friction. I also insert, in the upper end of the inner compartment, spring I9 adapted to bear at one end on plate 2 and at the other on an inhalant vial. I also fill the annular space between walls I and with an absorbent material 23 such as cotton battingm The inhalator 'is assembled by firmly screwing into place bottom end plate 'I and nasal tube I4 to prepare it for use. A stoppered vial 20, containing inhalant, of suitable size is then inserted in central inhalant compartment. The relative diameters of the vial and compartment are such `as to permit easy sliding t, but not aan undue amount of play. Spacing knobs 2| on the inner surface of wall 5 are advantageously provided to insure proper fit and allow liquid to pass readily fto and through ports 6.

Fig. 11 illustrates the relative positions 'of the parts fas stud I2 'has entered 'the end plate and .made 'con-tact with vial do. Closure plug Il .is gently screwed 'lin-to 'the inharator 'until nange I 3 is brought home aga-inst 'the 'end plate.. This yapplies longitudinal pressure to 'the vial, :forces it upwardly .against the "pressure of spring I9, and 1vcauses s'tud 4 to push `vial stopper 22 out 'of the neck 'into fthe vial.

The length of threaded closure stud r|z2 is .such that when 'flange 13 is brought Vhome against plate 'I the uncorked neck of vial 2D .is nrmly seated on .rubber Agasket 18., thereby sealing the vial. The relative 'positions of the parts when the vial is in un'corked :sealed .condition .are shown in Fig. 2. After protecting cap I6 has been 'put on the inhalator, 1s in 'safe condition to be carried in the pocket or handbag for use when 'de- 'sired When Tit is fdesired .to use the rinhal'at'or, cap I6 is removed and closure I I .is nnsorewed part way. :Spring 19 forces via-1 .20 away from gasket I8. Stud "4 'is made `of considerably smaller diameter than the neck of vial -2'0 and, as yrroted above, is advantageously vmade hollow and perforated; this facilitates passage yof the liquid inhalant -from `the vial lto 'the absorbent. `Gn withdrawal l'of the vial from :gasket If8 a short distance, inhalant maylbe :poured-or sprinkled out-of 'the vial into 'the :surrounding compartment by invert- .ing and shaking the inhalator. The liquid inhalant passes through ports 6 into the Aannular absorben-t compartment between walls 4I and 5 and distributes itself thrrnlg'hout `the -absorbent 23. Inhalation of air throughports -9, absorbent -2-3., ports 3., and nasa-1 :tube I4 slowly evaporates the .inhalant and conveys it to fthe nasal passages in the desired manner.

On screwing in closure plug II as far as possible, vial I20 .is returned `tti-sealed position, and after replacement of cap I6 fthe inhalator .is in condi-tion .to be kept indenitehy funtil Ait ,is required for further use.

From t'he above description Vit `will lbe seen that I have devised .a compact, eilicient and economical inhalator which A'is capable of .carrying a 'substantial charge o'f inhalant that .may ,be distributed on absorbent .material at will and i-n regulated amounts for use when desired, .and that my lin'halator is small .and rugged and capable of being carried .in `the pocket or handbag Vwithout breakage.

`I do not intend my invention to be vlimited to the above described embodiment, disclosure of which is intended to be illustrative only, but my invention comprises such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A tubular pocket inhalator, comprising a tubular inhalant compartment adapted to contain a vial, a tubular absorbent compartment communicating with the inhalant compartment, a nasal tube communicating with one end of the absorbent compartment, 'an air inlet communicating with the other end of the absorbent compartment, and a common releasable closure for the inhalant compartment and the air inlet; the inhalant compartment being permanently closed at the end remote from the closure end, having mounted in the permanently closed end a stud adapted 'to uncork a vial contained in the inhalant .compartment on application of longitudinal pressure to the vial, and a gasket surrounding the stud adapted to seal 'the uncorked end of the via-1 on `continuation of longitudinal pressure on the vial; the common releasable closure having Va 4projection entering the inhalant com partmentadapted to bear against and exert long-i rt-udiinal pressureon a Vial contained therein, and ra .flange adapted lin one position to seal the air .inlet .to the absorbent compartment, the length of the projection being such that when the nange is brought Vhome against the lair inlet the uncorked end of the vial is simultaneously brought .home against the gasket.

2. In a pocket inhalator comprising .an inhalant compartment .permanently closed at one end and adapted to contain a vial of liquid in- Ih-alant, means in said inhalant compartment at 'the closed end thereof operable .to enter and open Va vial upon actuation Vof the latter longitudinally relative to said opening means, and a closure 'for ythe other end of .the inhalant compartment arranged to engage and actuate said vial in the direction of said opening.

3. A pocket inhalator comprising an 'inhalant compartment permanently closed at one end and 'adapted to contain a vial of liquid inhalant, means in Vsaid inhalant compartment at 'the closed end thereof operable to enter and open a vial upon actuation of the latter longitudinally relative to said opening means, gasket means associated with the closed end of the inhalant compartment arranged for engagement by the opened 'vial to seal the latter, and a closure for 'the 'other end of the inhalant compartment varranged to engage and actuate said vial in the ,direction of said opening and gasket means.

4. A pocket ,inhalator comprising an inhalant compartment permanently closed at one end and adapted to contain a vial of liquid inhalant, means in lsaid inhalant'compartment at the closed Jend thereof operable to enter and open a vial upon actuation of the latter longitudinally relative to said opening means, gasket means associated with the closed end of the inhalant compartment arranged for engagement by the opened vial to seal the latter, a closure for the other end Vof the inhalant compartment arranged to engage and actuate said vial in the direction of 'said opening and gasket means, and a spring interposed between said vial and the closed end of the inhalant compartment tending to urge said vial away from said gasket means.

5. A pocket inhalator comprising an inhalant compartment permanently closed at one end and .adapted to contain a Vial .of liquid inhalant, means in said inhalant compartment at the closed end thereof operable to enter and open a vial upon actuation of the latter longitudinally rela-` tive to said opening means, gasket means associated with the closed end of the inhalant compartment arranged for engagement by the opened. vial to seal the latter, and a closure for the other end of the inhalant compartment having a portion threaded internally of said inhalant compartment and arranged to engage and actuate said vial in the direction of said opening and gasket means.

6. A pocket inhalator comprising an inhalant compartment permanently closed at one end and adapted to contain a vial of liquid inhalant, an absorbent compartment adjacent to and communicating with said inhalant compartment, an air inlet to said absorbent compartment at the end thereof remote from the permanently closed end of said inhalant compartment and adjacent the other end thereof, a nasal tube communicating with the other end of said absorbent compartment, means in said inhalant compartment at the closed end thereof operable to enter and open a vial upon actuation of the latter longitudinally relative to said opening means, and a closure for the said other-end of the inhalant compartment and said air inlet to the absorbent compartment, said closure having a portion arranged to engage and actuate said vial in the direction of said opening and gasket means and having a portion adapted to overlie and seal the air inlet to said absorbent compartment.

7. A pocket inhalator comprising an inhalant compartment permanently closed at one end and adapted to contain a vial of liquid inhalant, an absorbent compartment adjacent to and communicating With said inhalant compartment, an air inlet to said absorbent compartment at the end thereof remote from the permanently closed end of said inhalant compartment and adjacent the other end thereof, a nasal tube communicating With the other end of said absorbent compartment, means in said inhalant compartment at the closed end thereof operable to enter and open a vial upon actuation of the latter longitudinally relative to said opening means, gasket means associated With the closed end of the inhalant compartment arranged for engagement by the opened vial to seal the latter, and a closure for the said other end of the inhalant compartment and said air inlet to the absorbent compartment, said closure having a portion arranged to engage and actuate said vial in the direction of said opening and gasket means and having a portion adapted to overlie and seal the air inlet to said absorbent compartment.

8. A pocket inhalator comprising an inhalant compartment permanently closed at one end and adapted to contain a vial of liquid inhalant, an absorbent compartment adjacent to and communicating with said inhalant compartment, an air inlet to said absorbent compartment at the end thereof remote from the permanently closed end of said inhalant compartment and adjacent the other end thereof, a nasal tube communieating with the other end of said absorbent compartment, means in said inhalant compartment at the closed end thereof operable to enter and open a vial upon actuation of the latter longitudinally relative to said opening means, gasket means associated with the closed end of the inhalant compartment arranged for engagement by the opened vial to seal the latter, a closure for the said other end of the inhalant compartment and said air inlet to the absorbent compartment, said closure having a portion arranged to engage and actuate said Vial in the direction of said opening and gasket means and having a portion adapted to overlie and seal the air inlet to said absorbent compartment, and a spring interposed between said vial and the closed end of the inhalant compartment tending to urge said vial away from said gasket means.

9. A pocket inhalator comprising an inhalant compartment permanently closed at one end and adapted to contain a vial of liquid inhalant, an absorbent compartment adjacent to and communicating with said inhalant compartment, an air inlet to said absorbent compartment at the end thereof remote from the permanently closed end of said inhalant compartment and adjacent the other end thereof, a nasal tube communicating with the other end of said absorbent compartment, gasket means associatedA With the closed end of the inhalant compartment arranged for engagement by the vial to seal the latter, anda closure for the said other end of the inhalant compartment and said air inlet to the absorbent compartment, said closure having a portion arranged to engage and actuate said vial in the direction of said gasket means and having a portion adapted to overlie and seal the air inlet to said absorbent compartment.

10. A pocket inhalator comprising an inhalant compartment permanently closed at one end and adapted to contain a vial of liquid inhalant, an absorbent compartment adjacent to and communicating with said inhalant compartment, an l air inlet to said absorbent compartment at the end thereof remote from the permanently closed end of said inhalant compartment and adjacent the other end thereof, a nasal tube communicating with the other end of said absorbent compartment, and a closure for the said other end of the inhalant compartment and said air inlet to the absorbent compartment, said closure having a portion threaded internally of said inhalant cornpartment and a iiange portion adapted to overlie and seal the air inlet to said absorbent compartment.

WILLIAM E. MOATS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 151,570 Crumb June 2, 1874 1,703,764 rDorment Feb. 26, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 414,392 France June 17, 1910 

